This book demonstrates how qualitative methods can be used to address research issues pertinent to mental health practice and psychotherapy. With contributions from leading researchers, the book examines how to review and appraise existing qualitative literature, how to choose the most appropriate method, and how to approach ethical issues. It provides chapter-by-chapter guidance on how to conduct a qualitative study from across a range of approaches and each chapter demonstrates how the specific method has been applied to address questions in mental health research.

This unique book uses examples drawn from recent research in mental health practice and in psychotherapy and examines service user involvement in research and the epistemological assumptions underlying the various methods.